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Research Reports

These reports have been prepared by or for Smart Growth BC and present data related to issues at the forefront of smart growth. They are intended to be used by both citizens groups and community leaders to guide land use decision-making.

2009 BC Sprawl Report: Walkability and Health

This report links physical activity and health data from 16 neighbourhoods dispersed throughout BC spanning the urban to rural spectrum, with objective and subjective walkability index scores. it also provides in-depth case studies of active transportation urban form policies for the City of Vancouver, City of Port Moody and District of Invermere. Authors: Ray Tomalty, Ph.D., and Murtaza Haider, Ph.D.

Download the report

Download the report's summary sheets: a) research, b) case studies.

Sprawl and Smart Growth in Greater Vancouver

Produced by the Sightline Institute in collaboration with Smart Growth BC, this report maps population density trends throughout the Greater Vancouver area, using data from the last four Canadian censuses. The researchers found that in the 1990s a combination of factors helped Greater Vancouver limit the type of low-density sprawl that marred many comparably-sized US cities during that decade. But in recent years, the pace of compact growth slowed. To download the Report click here. To view the interactive map click here.

Innovative Infrastructure Financing Mechanisms for Smart Growth

This report examines the potential for infrastructure financing mechanisms to contribute to smart growth outcomes. The report describes 15 tools currently used in the US or in Canada, provides an overview of each mechanism, indicates what kind of infrastructure it can be applied to, describes the potential smart growth outcomes, lists the advantages and disadvantages, identifies cities where the tool is being used, and provides an information source. It also includes detailed case studies of 10 of those mechanisms in use. Published 2008. Author Ray Tomalty. Download the report here. Download a summary of the tools discussed in the report here.

Review of Best Practices in Affordable Housing

The purpose of this report is to review the range of affordable housing approaches used by local governments in select jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. and to provide some preliminary comments about the effectiveness of these tools. This review will provide the backdrop for Smart Growth B.C. to work with other organizations, the development sector and local governments to develop an affordable housing strategy. This report suggests the need for more robust affordable housing initiatives that reflect the learning from approaches undertaken in the U.S. since the 1980’s. Published in 2007. Author: Tim Wake. Download the report here.

BC's ALR: A Legal Opinion of "Community Need"

This report provides a legal examination of discrepancies between the Agricultural Land Commission's Service Plans, which identify "community need" as a reason for excluding land from the ALR, and the ALC's governing Act, which legislates the Commission to make decisions on ALR exclusions based on agricultural suitability. Published in 2007. Author: Deborah Curran.

Download the report here.�

Promoting Public Health Through Smart Growth

This report details how our built environment shapes our transportation choices and in turn, human health. It reviews the existing research for a range of transportation-related health impacts on public health outcomes. Published in 2006. Authors: Lawrence Frank, Sarah Kavage, and Todd Litman.

Download here.

BC Sprawl Report 2004

This study measures 24 BC communities against 27 key indicators in the areas of urban form, livability and economic vitality. The purpose of the research is to provide a snapshot of the status of these communities and the impacts of their development practices. Published in 2004. Authors: Don Alexander, Ray Tomalty and Mark Anielski.

Download here.

Hard copies are available on a cost-recovery basis ($20) by contacting info@smartgrowth.bc.ca

State of the ALR Report �

Agricultural land is critical to the health of rural and urban areas, can provide ecological benefits, and often defines the very character of B.C. communities.This report describes the province’s agricultural industry, reflecting its landscape and diversity. Up-to-date data on the agricultural land reserve, farming income and jobs are presented. Published in 2004 by Smart Growth BC.

Download here.

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Sprawl and Smart Growth in Greater Vancouver�

To examine patterns of metropolitan growth in Greater Vancouver and Greater Seattle areas, researchers examined population trends using data from satellite images and digital mapping, as well as data from the 1986, 1991, 1996, and 2001 Canadian censuses and the 1990 and 2000 US censuses.

Published in 2002 by Northwest Environment Watch and Smart Growth BC.